Has Volkswagen RUINED the California?

This is the new Volkswagen California!

Mat’s got his hands on the T7 edition of the California, and he’s about to see how it’s evolved over the previous T6 generation.

One key change over the previous California is that the new car is based on a car platform, compared to a van platform used for the T6! This change is clear from the outside, with the front end of the California looking relatively similar to the ID Buzz. It comes with a full-length light bar and modern headlights, while along the side, the body panels continue the similarity to a car’s design.

But on the inside is where you’ll find the most changes. The kitchen unit has evolved, now allowing someone to enter the California from either side! There’s a single gas burner, a fridge, and a number of power outlets. The back seats can move forward, back, or be removed altogether, and the front seats can turn around, too. The roof still expands to reveal a bed, and the rear seats can fold down to create a second bed as well.

In terms of engines, there are two to choose from. There’s a 2-litre diesel that produces 150hp, or a 2-litre turbo petrol that produces 204hp.

The entry-level T7 California costs around £63,000, while the range-topping car that we have here costs around £82,000. So, is it worth it, or should you just stick with the cheaper T6 instead? Stick with Mat to see for yourself!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:49 Design
01:51 Interior
04:00 Kitchen Area
06:44 Bed
09:19 New Features
11:11 Boot
12:17 Exterior Features
14:26 Cockpit
15:47 Engines
16:21 Driving

[Scarlet_Soul]

This just makes an older model look far more appealing, better as a camper and now far far cheaper

[wharris]

The VW California:

Not for sale in California

[whotf]

Honestly, newer vehicles have seemed like a downgrade for a couple years now. Manufacturers are constantly sacrificing usability for gimmicks and cost-cutting. The Germans are the most guilty, especially Mercedes, which is a shame considering they always used to make quite literally the best cars.

[DandaLion]

Honestly as someone who helped my mate build his own camper, for £80k you could buy an older van and convert it into something far superior than this and still have money left over

[RCScaleAdventures-]

I’ll keep the 80k for paying for hotels and drive there in my car 😂

[lmm]

Owed and lived with a T6 for a few years now, 4 Motion with 204 PS diesel, awesome little camper, I use it as a daily but not everyday as I motorcycle as well. I live in Switzerland and regularly drive into the high alps, drive on snow and it’s very good. On longer journeys you can take quick nap in comfort and in winter you have the ability to leave the heating on while you hike or whatever… in the heat of the summer here the fridge is just fantastic, down at the lake cold drinks all the time. We never cook much inside, boil some veg or pasta definitely.., all the grilling is done outside. Highly recommended.

[markmadman]

For £80k you'd buy one hell of a proper camper. Crazy money for a van conversion.

[EnzoNotFerrari]

This price just makes me feel like the UK has also added tariffs to all cars 😂

[MyNameIsJeeeff]

£80, 000 could get you 533 hotel nights at £150 a night ... (I know it's not a great comparison, but that's 20 holidays at 14 nights for 4 people sharing!)

[mattwestgaming]

The kitchen in the T7 is a massive downgrade imo

[Matt-k]

Volkswagen really nailed it—name your van after California, then don’t sell it anywhere in North America. Iconic logic.

[alvisbar]

Anyone else thinks that Matt should bring back the launch from 0 to 60, because he is Matt and we are watching Carwow?

[myobkenobi]

I'd love to see Matt and Yianni spend the night in this thing 😂😂

[travelcampervansandmore]

Cooking is an essential part of vanlife. This is a massive stepback. I'd rather have one side door and two burners.

[abrahamlincoln]

Last time I was this early, my wife made me sleep on the couch.

[Beau-xf]

Just from the video picture. Heck no, I wouldn’t pay 80 thousand pound. Which would be 100-140k in Australia 💀…

[LISABELLA-hd]

Honestly as someone who helped my mate build his own camper, for £80k you could buy an older van and convert it into something far superior than this and still have money left over

[Paravantos]

Whhaaat ? That price you buy a 20 sqmeter mobile home !!! An have a decent studio on wheels. Shower, queen size bed, regular kitchen, couch, barbecue grill etc…

[no.planman]

FINALLY a car journalist that actually recognizes that this is no improvement as a camper van 💪. Don't understand the need for a second sliding door at all, but it's probably a cost saving to make the same thing for both the LHD and RHD market.

[denislejeune]

I have owned the T6.1 for 4 years now.

A few things seem nicer for use in the T7 (plugging a laptop offgrid is one), but the loss of a second gas burner, of kitchen, fridge and storage spaces makes it (at least on paper) much less interesting for me. I'd say style over substance from where I'm sitting.

Btw, the lights in the 'upstairs room' are pants even in the T6. If you don't have a headlamp you can kiss reading goodbye.